Musical instrument



Feb'. 26, 1929. 1,703,167

E. w. POWERS TRUMENT Filed Jan. 6. 1925 5 Sheetsheet l 1 J ggia :ae W 2 Hummm" 111111111111111 l Feb. 26, 1929.

.1,703,167 E. W. POWERS MUS ICAL INSTRUMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. G. 1925 1,703,167 E. w. POWERS MUS I CAL INSTRUMENT Feb. 26, 1929.

Filed Jan. G, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 /z Jil/gj' Ba/ MVN [2z venan' Edina :al Wfo were,

Patented Feb. 26, 1.929.

UNITED STATES EDWARD W. POWERS, F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed January G, 1925.

This invention relates to Stringed instruments and is intended more particularly as an improvement over the invention embodied in my co-pending application Serial No. 522,741, .tiled December' 16, 1921.

Referring to the drawings wherein is shown merely tor illustrative purposes one embodiment ot my invention;

Fig. 1 is a plan view oi a stringed instruv ment having the characteristics ot a pianotorte oi the .so-called grand type showing portions oit the case with the cover thereof removed 5 Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section substantially upon the line 2-2 ot F ig. 1;

Fig. 3 detail section upon the line 3 3 ot Fig. 1 showing the manner ot securing the ends of some at least ot the bass strings to the piano trame;

Fig. 4: is a section similar to Fig. 3 taken substantially on the line lf-4 ot Fig. l, illustrating in detail the means ttor securing some ot the lower treble strings to the trame;

Fig. 5 is a detail vertical section along a plane oi the end of one of the shorter middle treble strings and substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

F ig. G is a detail vertical section showing the resilient linger for supporting the upper treble string in the plane ol" the section line 6-6;

F 7 is a detail verti al section on the line 7 7, Fig. 1, illustrating one type of supporting means for bass strings;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail side view ol the nd or one of the supporting lingers showing the manner ot securing the strings to said finger, and

Fig. 9 is a plan view ot the same.

It will be obvious trom the Jiiollowing description that the invention applies to various Yforms of stringed instruments but, :for convenience merely, it has been applied to a pianoforte ot the grand type wherein a easing for suppor'ing the various eiements of the instrument is shown at 1. lVithin this casing are mounted keys 2 and an action shown in part at 3, Fig. Q, having hammers one ot whi i; is shown at 1 and other teatures well linown to those skilled in the art but, as the action to form no part ot the present invention, no detailed or more complete description thereof is believed necessary.

Serial No. 797.

Mounted within the casing 1 and secured thereto in any appropriate manner is a sounding board 5 which may be and preferably is of the usual. construction.

Arranged adjacent to said sounding board is a plate 6 of substantially rigid construction embodying the usual plate head 7 bearing' in the present example tuning pins 8, 8 to which the various strings are attached. The plate 6 also desirably includes a bearing bar 9 connected by appropriate struts 10, 1() with the plate head 7 and lower plate member 11. Carried by the plate 6 are the usual piano strings 12 including bass strings 12, lower treble strings 12, middle treble strings 12C, and upper treble strings 12d. Each of these strings is represented as secured at one end to the trame as, tor example, by means ot' the aforesaid tuning pins 8. Desirabl the opposite or tail ends of most at least o said strings are herein shown attached in such a manner as to permit a slight yielding of said tail ends laterally with respect to the tace oit' said sounding board 5.

Obviously the mediums by which the yielding effect of said string tails is accomplished may vary materially but in the present example I provide, in certain instances, struts or tingers 13 arranged substantially parallel with the strings. To give the best results and greater freedom oi'l action during said lateral vibratory movement or yielding action, the ends ot said tingers or struts are fixed to the plate (3 at points approximately between the ends ot the strings and desirably upon a marginal lip 14 constituting an integral part ot the trame and extending therefrom beneath the tails of said strings. This arrangement of said lingers provides a more natural vibration ot the strings or unisons as hereinafter described, also a more natural relationship between the vibrating unisons and sounding board which amplities its tones. The reason for this relationship is that the severe resistance of the conventional plate is reducer, it not substantially eliminated, by instituting a condition of poise without reducing the longitudinal supporting ability of the plate. In other words the vibrations of the strings are sustained t'or the reason that the tail ends of said strings are supported so as to present a condition of natural poise, rather than by being supported by a plate which severely resists activity. By thus freeing the vibrations the musical quality becomes far less metallic and has a desirable sustained singing tone.

The lingers or struts 13 may be attached to said marginal lip 14 in any appropriate manner but herein said fingers are properly positioned by means of dowels 15 and are rigidly secured in place upon said dowels by screws 16. One or more of said screws and also one or more of said dowels may be employe-d according to the length and size of the fingers to be secured, the number of said dowels being also consistent with the pressure to which the said fingers are to be subjected. lEor example in Figs. 3 and f1- which herein represent the fingers for supporting certain bass and some of the treble strings, the lingers are relativelyv long and are consequently each provided with two screws 16. The lingers shown in Figs. 5 and 6 supporting the shorter middle strings and the treble strings respectively are of a lighter construction and, therefore, need be'secured by only one screw each because they are not called upon to sustain forces of such magni` tude as must necessarily be exerted upon the lingers of lower and heavier strings.

The fingers 13 may, within the scope and purpose of the invention, be called upon to support one string or two or more strings as in the so-called' unisons conunonly used in pianos and the body of each finger may be proportioned with regard to width, thickness and length so as to best produce the degree of resiliency or stiffness commensurate with its load and position relative to the sounding board as hereinafter explained.

Naturally where the strings are long and heavy as in the bass group the velocity of vibration is relatively low and hence 'the element of freedom at the tail is not of so great importance as in the upper groups where the velocity of vibration is high. ln fact if too much freedom is allowed them percussion will be lost. However some musicians may desire a hard bass whereas others would prefer one less hard and obviously these qualities may, within the scope and purpose of the invention, be varied from the relatively inflexible tail to the most resilient linger employed. ln the present embodiment an arrangement is shown whereby a variable degree of hardness of tone in the bass string will result. For example the first eight strings of. the bass group 1 l are shown secured by pins 17 directly to the frame 11 and these eight strings produce tones of maximum hardness.

Following the aforesaid eight bass strings in the ascension of the scale is a second group or series of strings or unisons which l have shown secured preferably by pins 18 to an and along the under face of the linger.

auxiliary plate 19 herein extending trans versely of the entire second group of strings and said plate, in turn, may be carried by one or more, herein three, resilient fingers Q0. The lingers Y2O are, like the lingers 13, arranged substantially parallel with the strings attached to the auxiliary plate 19 and these lingers may be and preferably are rigidly secured to the frame 14 at points between the extremities of the strings, thus providing, only in a lesser degree than the individual fingers, a lateral freedom of movement not possible with the lower group of strings secured directly to the frame. It is, however, to be understood that the plate 19 is not limited to use with the specific group of strings shown, nor is it in any wise limited to the number of strings attached to it or to the length herein shown.

Other bass strings or unisons may, as shown at 21 Fig. 1, be carried by individual lingers such as are shown in Fig. 8, the resiliency of which will be varied in proportion to the freedom of movement desired. lt

is, however, to be understood that the inven-V tion is not limited to the grouping of the strings shown but any one form or any combination may be used to satisfy the demands of the trade or of individual musicians. Wvhen lingers or struts are called upon to support heavy bass strings the best results may at times be secured by providing indi" vidual lingers for each string. Atother times two or more strings may be carried by each finger and, in various treble groups where the lateral forces acting upon said lingers are greatly reduced beca-use of the reduced weight of the string body, unisons of three or more strings may be and preferably are carried by each finger.

There are numerous ways in which the various strings may be connected with and secured to their respective supports but desirably each supporting finger 13 and the auxiliary plate 19 are provided with a transverse shoulder or rib 22 against which a bearing bar n3 is placed. The upper face of each bar is rounded where the strings engage it to prevent cutting of the strings. ln Figs. 3, 8 and 9 I have shown one method of securing either one or two base strings to its linger wherein the end of the wire is passed over the rounded surface of said bearing bar 23, thence downwardly At this point the end of the wire is given an upward turn passing through an obliquely inclined hole 24 to the free end face of the linger where it is turned laterally at 24 back of the downwardly extending portion of said string which pinches said end firmly against the end face of the linger preventing any slipping .thereof after the string is placed under tension. The end of' said si derable length. In the upper treble group of strings, however, the lingers or struts 13, owing to the shortness oli' the strings, are brought very close to the head end 7 of the frame, also to the piano action and the supporting means for the lower edge of the sounding board, making access to said nut and squared sleeve portion exceedingly diflicult it not impossible. Accordingly a diiA ferent arrangement for adjustment in this case has been provided, as shown in Fig. 6, consisting of a bushing or thimble 38 mounted upon ather than extending through the sounding board and in a strip or strips ot wood or other suitable material 39 secured to the upper surface of the sounding board. The thimble 38 is preferably7 hold in non-rotary relation to the strip 39 and has screw-threaded engagement with a stem or rod 40 extending upwardly into enn gagcment with the end of the linger 13 arranged directly thereabove. The rod 40 is provided with a polygonal portion 41 adapted to lit a wrench or other instrument for effecting the rotation of said rod within said thimble. A check nut 42 or other locking means niay be provided tor securing the rod in its adjusted position relatively to said thimble. rlhe engaging portions of the lingers 13 and rod 40 may obviously be formed in various ways to permit relative rotary movement and in the )resent example l have shown the upper end of said rod conically formed at 43 for engaging a correspondingly shaped recess 44 in the underside of said finger.

In most instances, particularly where the wires forming the strings are oi small diameter, the practice of connecting the lstrings with the sounding board shown in Figs. 4, 5 and G, is preferable for, in these instances, the lingers 13 can be made long enough and of sufficient resiliency to vibrate readily with the string when the saine is hit with the hammer of the piano action and in such cases practically all of the vibrations of said strings will be transmitted through the rod and thimble from the extremity of said linger with a high degree of eliiciency.

The lingers 13 may also be and preiierably are varied in length and resiliency from both edges toward the center of the sounding board to correspond with the variations in the degree of lateral deflection ot said board from and to the points mentioned. Naturally the deflection at or near the middle of the board will be much greater' than at or near the edges. Fig. 4, illustrating one of the fingers near themiddle of the sounding board, is shown much longer than the linger oit' Fig. 5, which latter finger is located nearer to the edge of the board than the former and hence subject to less deflection. The finger illustrated in Fig. 6 shows still another reduction in length of body as well as in diameter, this linger being located substantially at the edge of the sounding board where the lateral deliection is very slight as compared with the others..

lVhere the strings are' extremely heavy or even moderately heavy as in the case of bass stringl the lingers 13 are desirably materially heavier and possess greater rigidity owing to the greater lateral forces acting upon them, else too much freedom of vibration will. result and percussion be lost. In such cases the transmission oli' vibrations through the free ends of the fingers is inadvisable because the rigidity of said lingers tends materially to restrict the normal breadth of movement or free transmission to the sounding board of the vibrations of the strings.

It may at times be found expedient to provide a bridge or individual bridges for each string or unison at a suitable distance from the ends thereof and in Fig. 3 such a bridge is shown for each bass string as indicated by the reference character 45. These bridges are arranged near but in no wise connected with the fixed end of the lingers except through the string. The bridges 45 each desirably include a head 46 having one or more transverse string holes 47 which are preferably formed in two sections 48 and 49 extending into the head from opposite faces and inclined with respect to the plane of the outer ends of said holes so as to communicate with each other near the center of the head and there form a bearing point 50 adapted to deflect the string passing through the hole suliiciently to maintain said string and bearing point always in contact when the string is under tension. The head 46 has a depending screw-threaded stem 51 passing through an opening 52 in the lip 14 oic the frame and engaging, at its lower end, a sleeve 32 substantially similar to that shown in Fig. 4 hereinbefore described. Although adjusting and locking means for said stem 51 similar to those in Fig. 4 have been shown it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this form.

The velocity orn vibration olf the lower heavy bass strings is relatively so low that any laclr of resiliency in the supporting fingers or tails of said strings is not of any great consequence, but, as the velocity of vibrations increase in the ascending scale, this element of freedom at the tail ends of the strings or unisons becomes of increasing importance.

The individual spring fingers arranged as herein described between the tail ends of the strings and the plate, make it possible to provide the exact resiliency or normal balance required for each string and the elimination of the usual string tails between the bridge and the plate by tying the tails of the lingers directly to the sounding board tends still further toward the accomplishment of the desired results mentioned.

It will be noted, by referring to F ig. l, that the bass strings l2 overlap or cross the tails of some ot the treble strings and connect with the lower plate member near the middle longitudinal area of the sounding board. Consequently the bridges oit said bass strings will engage said sounding board substantially in the region thereoi where the maximum deiiection of the board occurs and, inasmuch as said bass strings are in some cases rigidly and in other cases substantially rigidly secured. to the plate, and furthermore because the bass strings, by reason of their size and relatively low velocity of vibration, possess qualities of massive torce, a substantially maximum stress or compressive action will be exerted by said bass strings through their bridges and upon said sounding board.

The treble strings on the other hand, with their increasingly high velocity of vibration, will have a penetrating potency which requires that peculiar freedom ot action presented by the resilient finger and, therefore, assume a lesser part in the compression of the sounding board.

By reason of the board-compression being assumed in a major degree by the plate through the bass strings, a more sensitive basis ior sympathetic vibration or accord is made for the less 'forceful but more potent and tree qualities ot treble tone, present-- ing broadened and balanced tree relationship between the lower and upper qualities of tone tending materially toward a higher degree of rhythmic musical expression.

Having thus described certain embodiments of my invention I desire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being` set forth in the following claims.

Claims:

l. In a musical instrument, in combination, a trame, a sounding board, a string adjustably connected at one end and resiliently connected at the other end to said trame, and means to tie said sounding board and the resiliently connected end of said string together.

2. In a musical instrument, in combination, a trame, a sounding board, a string adjustably connected at one end and resiliently connected at the other end to said frame, and means to rigidly tie said sounding board and the resiliently connected end of said string together.

3. In a musical instrument, in combination, a iframe, a sounding board, a string adjustably connected at one end and resiliently connected at the other end to said trame and adjustable means to rigidly tie said sounding board and the resiliently connected end ot said string together.

4. In a musical instrument, in combination, a plate, strings stretched across said plate, substantially rigid means tor securing one end et each ot said strings to said plate, means for resiliently supporting the opposite end ot each string, a sounding board adjacent to said strings, and means to tie the resiliently supported ends oi said strings to said sounding board.

In a` musical instrument, in combination, a plate, strings stretched across said plate, substantially rigid means for securing one end of each ot' said strings to said plate, means for resiliently supporting the opposite end ot each string, a sounding board adjacent to said strings, and adjustable means to-rigidly tie the resiliently supported ends ot said strings to said sounding board.

6. In a musical instrument, a plate, a sounding board, a series oit strings stretched across said plate in a. plane or pla-nes substantially parallel with said sounding board, a tuning` pin at one end of each string, resilient supports :tor the other ends of said strings adapted to allow said other string ends to vibrate laterally with respect to 'the face of said sounding board, and means i'ncluding a. post arranged between the movable ends of said resilient supports and said sounding board to transmit vibrations from said supports to said sounding board.

7. In a piano, in combination, a series ot strings, timing means at one end of each string, a sounding board, means to support the other ends of said strings in laterally yielding relation to said sounding board, and means including a. post to rigidly and. adjustably tie said laterally yielding string ends to said sounding board to transmit vibration or" said strings to said board.

8. In a musical instrument, in combination, a. plurality of string unisons, individual securing mea-ns tor one end of each string of said unisons, means tor unitedly yieldingly supporting the opposite ends of the strings composing each unison, a sounding board, and a post to transmit vibrations from the ends ot said unison supports directly to said sounding board.

9. In a musical instrument, in combina.- tion, a plurality of string unisons, individw ual securing means for one end et each ot the several strings of said unisons, common means for yieidin `ly supporting the opposite ends o'f the strings composing said unisons, a solmding board and means positively oonnectii r the yieldable ends ot said string unisons .ith said sounding board to transmit the ribratir'ms ther-cot to said board.

l0. In a piano, in combination, a plate, a sounding board, a series of strings stretcher` over said plate, resilient means interposed between the tails of said strings and said between and tension means connecting said tails directly with said sounding board.

11. In a stringed instrument, in combination, a plate, a series of strings stretched across said plate, means interposed between the tails of said strings and said plate adapted to permit lateral yielding ot said tails without reducing longitudinal support, a sounding board and means connecting the extremities of said string tails with said sounding board to transmit vibrations thereto.

12. In a stringed instrument, in combination, a plate, a series of strings stretched over said plate including some strings secured rigidly to said plate and others having lateral resiliency with relation to said plate, a sounding beard, means connected.

with said rigidly secured strings at a distance from their securing means to transmit vibrations ot said strings to said sounding board and means located at the extremities of said resiliently mounted strings to transmit the vibrations ot' the latter directly to said sounding board.

18. In a piano, a plate, a series ot strings stretched over said plate including a. group of bass strings having their tails rigidly rsecured to said plate to produce a relatively hard tone, laterally resilient longitudinally rigid means secured to said plate adjacent the tails of a second group et said series oit strings, said laterally resilient means haring a plurality oi' strings attached thereto and adapted to permit the tails of the strings attached thereto to yield laterally of said plate for the purpose of providing relatively softer tones than those of the said fixed bass strings and laterally resilient individual unison-supporting elements for subsequent unisons of the ascending scale adapted to produce a gradually increased degree oty resiliency between the said unisons and said plate.

14. In a stringed instrument, a substantially rigid plate, a series ot strings each adjustably secured at one end to said plate and laterally resilient means interposed be tween the tail ends of a group et said strings and said plate, said laterally resilient means including a transversely arranged member embracing the tails of all strings of said group and to which said string tails are secured and a plurality oit resilient fingers each secured to said transverse member andY to said plate.

l5. In a stringed instrument, a substan tially rigid plate, a series of strings each adjustably secured at one end to said plate and laterally resilient means interposed be` tween the tail ends ot a group of said strings and said plate, said laterally resilient means including a transversely arranged member embracing the tails of all strings of said group and to which said string tails are secured and plurality of resilient lingers each secured to said transverse member and to said plate at a point between the ends et said strings and a line substantially parallel therewith.

16. In a stringed instrument, a substantially rigid plate, a series o1 bass strings cach adjustably secured at one end to said plate, means for producing a softer tone in one group et' said bass strings than in another including a member extending transversely of the tails of said group and to which said tails are'secured, and a plurality of resilient supporting lingers for said member secured to said plate between the ends of said strings. l

17. In a stringed instrument, a series of strings, a resilient supporting finger tor the tail of at least one of said strings, a bearing member arranged near the tree end of said finger, a sounding board, and a post connecting said bearing member with said sounding board.

18. In a stringed instrument, a series ot strings, a resilientsupporting linger i'or the tail of at least one of said strings, a bearing member arranged near the free end oi' said finger, a sounding board, and a post con necting said bearing member with said sounding board adapted to maintain predetermined stress therebetween.

19. In a stringed instrument, a series of strings, a resilient supporting finger for the tail of at least one of said strings, a bearing' member arranged near the free end et said linger, a sounding board and means adjustably connecting said bearing member with said sounding board adapted to maintain a predetermined state et stress between the tree'end of said finger and said sounding boaid, whereby the movements et said linger may be transmitted to said sounding board.

20. In a. stringed instrument, a series oi' strings, a resilient supporting linger for the tail end of at least one ot said strings provided with a transverse shoulder near the free end thereof, a bearing bar seated against said shoulder and engaged by said string, a sounding board, and means eXtending from said bearing bar through the 'free end of said linger and into adjustable relation to said sounding board adapted to maintain said linger and said sounding board in predetermined stressed relation.

21. In a stringed instrument, a series ot strings, resilient supporting means for the tails ot said strings, said supporting means varying in degrees of lateral4 freedom, a sounding board, and means including an adjustable post to transn'iit vibrations directly from the tail ends of said strings to said sounding board.

22. In a stringed instrument, a series of string unisons, a resilient support for each ot' said unisons, successive supports in said series possessing varying degrees ot' resiliency, a sounding board, and means directly to reproduce the oscillations of said supports upon said sounding board.

23. In a stringed instrument, a series of tensioned strings, vibratory supporting fingers for the tails ot said strings, and means to secure the ends of said strings to said supporting fingers including cooperating grooves to maintain the extremities of said strings in pinched relation to a tensioned portion thereof.

24. In a stringed instrument, a series ot tensioned strings, supporting fingers for said strings and means for securing said stringl ends to said ingers including an oblique hole and crossed grooves respectively to contain the end and a tensioned portion ot a string whereby to pinch and hold said end.

25. In a stringed instrument, a series ot strings, vibratory supporting fingers for the tail ends o:t` said strings having fixed ends lying between the planes of the ends ot their respective strings, a sounding board and `means positively connecting the vibrating ends of said iingers with said sounding board to etfect a perfect accord ot' action between said ends and said board.

26. In a stringed instrument, a series oit strings each having a vibratory tail, a sounding board, and means including rigid connections to effect a perfect accord ot' action directly between said vibratory tail and said sounding board.

27. In a stringed instrument, a series ot strings each having a vibratory tail, al sounding board, and rigid connecting means to effect a perfect accord of action between said vibrator-y tail and said sounding board including an internally threaded sleeve rog tatably arranged in said sounding board, a threaded rod engaging the threads ot said sleeve and connected with said string and means for locking said rod and said sleeve against relative movement.

2S. In al stringed instrument, a series ot strings or unisons, a sounding board over which said strings are stretched, avibratory linger' 13 to which the tail of each string or unison is attached and means including a rod 3() and a relatively adjustable sleeve 32 for maintaining predetermined stress between said sounding board and the :free end of said finger to effect accord of movement therebetween.

29. In a. stringed instrument, a series ot strings, a sounding board and adjustable means to eiiect substantial accord ot action between said strings and said sounding board including an internally threaded sleeve and a threaded rod engaging said sleeve and connected with at least one string.

30. In a stringed instrument, a series of strings a sounding board and adjustable means to effect substantial accord of action between said strings and said sounding board, including an internally threaded sleeve adapted to be rotated in said sounding board, and a threaded rod engageable `with said sleeve and having connection with at least one string.

Si. In a stringed instrument, a plate, a series of strings stretched across said plate, a resilient finger to yieldingly support the tail end oitI at least one of said strings on said plate. a sounding board and means interposed directly between the end of said resilient finger and said sounding board to maintain said sounding board under stress.

32. In a piano, a plate, a sounding board arranged adjacent to said plate, a series et strings stretched across said plate, means for relatively rigidly securing said strings to said plate, means interposed between said strings and said sounding` board adapted 'to maintain said board under maximum compression, a second series ot strings stretched across said plate and laterally resilient means to support the tails ot said second series ot strings on said plate and to maintain said tail extremities and said sounding board in substantially natural vibratory accord.

In a piano, a plate, a sounding board arranged adjacent to said plate, a series ot bass strings stretched across said plate, means for securing the tails ot' said strings in substantially rigid relation to said plate, bridge means adapted to transmit from said strings a maximum pressure to said sounding` board, a series of treble strings also stretched across said plate, laterally resilient supporting means for the tails of said treble strings, and means to maintain the tail extremities of said treble Cvt"ings and said sounding board in substantial vibratory accord.

34. In a piano, a plate, a sounding beard arranged adjacent to said plate, a series oi' bass strings stretched across said plate, means for securing the ot said strings in substantially rigid relation to said plate, bridge means adapted to transmit trom said strings a maximum pressure to said sounding board, a series of treble strings also stretched across said plate, laterally resilient supporting means tor the 'tails of said treble strings, and means to maintain the tail extremities oit said treble .prin and said sounding board in substantial vioratory accord without impeding the iaturai delieeting n'iovernents ot said board.

In piano, a plate, a sounding board a series oil' stretched upon said plate.y a group of said stringa being ri idly secured thereto, others ot said strings being resiliently secured to s plate. bridge means interposed between said rigidly secured strings and said sounding board tending to exert llt) maximum pressure upon the latter and means connecting said sounding board with said resiliently mounted strings tending to exert a limited pressure upon said sounding beard and to maintain it and the extreme ends et the st connected in substantially natural vibratory accord.

36. ln a stringed instrument, laseries ot strings, a sounding boardv` resilient supporting nieans for the tails oit seine at least oit said strings, means for eli'ecting substantial accord oit vibiatory action between the resiliently supperted tails ot said strings and said sounding board including a eontractible sleeve, a red adjust-ably engaging said sleeve and means to contract said sleeve upon said rod.

37. .ln a stringed instrument, a series et strings, a. sounding board, resilient supporting means tor the tails ot some at least of said strings, means tor eilecting substantial accord ot vibratory action between the resiliently supported tails ot said strings and said sounding board including an internally lireaded contraetible sleeve, a threaded rod te engage the threads ol said sleeve, and means to contract said sleeve against said roda 58. In a stringed instrument, aA series of rings, a scnnding board, resilient supportmeans tor the tails oit some at least ot said sounding board including a threaded red, tapered split sleeve internally threadid te engage the threads of said rod and rotatable relatively to said rod, and means including a tapered bushing to contract said tapered sleeve upon said rod.

Si), ln combination with a string, a resilient supporting linger for said string, a sounding board, and adjustable connecting means between the tree end of said linger and said sounding board including a rod attached to said linger, a split tapered sleeve having threaded engagement with said rod and means including said taper to contract and lock said sleeve in engagement with said rod.

l0. i/i sounding board, a series of low veiecity strings arranged to exert maximum i stress upon said sounding board, a

second series ot strings arranged to exert proportion to lateral deflection thereof, and means directly connecting the tree ends ot said fingers with said sounding board.

l2. ln a stringed instrument, a relatively rigid plate, a series ot strings stretched across said plate, an auxiliary relatively flexible plate having the tails of at least a portion oit the strings ot said series secured thereto and constituting a llexible hitch line lor said strings and resilient su aortino' means tor said auxiliary plate arranged substantially parallel with said strings and secured to said rigid plate.

43. ln a stringed instrument, a sounding board, a relatively rigid plate, a series of strings stretched across said plate, an auxiliary relatively flexible plate having the tails or. at least a portion of the strings of said series secured thereto and constituting aL continuous resilient hitch line tor said strings, resilient supporting means tor said auxiliary plate a 'anged substantially parallel with said strings and secured to said rigid plaie, and bridge means interposed between said strings and said sounding board.

ll. ln a stringed instrument, a sounding boar l, a relatively rigid plate, a series of strings stretched across said plate, an auxiliary relatively tiexible plate having the tails et' at least a portion of the strings of said series secured thereto and constituting a resilient hitch line for said strings, resilient f supporting means 'lor said auxiliary plate arranged substantially parallel with said strings and secured to said rigid plate at points substantially intermediate oit the ends of said strings, and individual bridge means interposed between said strings and said sounding board.

l5. In a stringed instrument, a series ot strings, resilient supporting means tor the tails ol said strings, said supporting means varying in degrees of lateral freedom and adapted to provide dii'lerent degrees ot softess of tone in different strings, a sounding board and means to transmit vibrations from said strings to said sounding board through the extremities ot said supporting means.

d6. In a stringed instrument, in combination, a plate, a. series strings stretched across said plate, string supporting means rigidly secured to the adjacent margin of said plate and arranged to flex laterally about a point near its base, said plate also being arranged to flex laterally and thereby cooperate with the lateral flexing of said means to provide a predetermined degree l lateral freedom ot movement ot said string without reducing1 long' 'udinal stability.

47. .ln a stringed instrument, in combination, a plate, a series ot strings stretched across said plate, string supporting means supported upon the adjacent edge of said plate, said means and said plate having predetermined lateral ilexibility cooperating tion, a plate, a series of' strings stretched across said plate, string supporting means rigidly secured to said plate, said string supporting means and said plate cooperating to permitpredetermined lateral freedom of movement or' said strings Without reducing longitudinal stability thereof.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specication.

EDWARD W. POWERS.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,703,167. Granted February 26, 1929, to

EDWARD W. POWERS.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 72, yfor the word "frame" read "plate"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of April, A. D. 1929.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

